Multiple Myeloma Research Projects
MOON SHOTS PROGRAM
High-Risk Multiple Myeloma Priority Projects
The High-Risk
Multiple Myeloma Moon Shot® priority projects address
the crucial issues facing multiple
myeloma patients by aiming to delay and ultimately prevent
progression of the disease — especially for high-risk patients who
have had few answers until now. These research efforts are aimed at
better predicting disease progression and deploying immunotherapies
and cellular therapies against it.
Genomic & immune predictors of multiple myeloma progression
Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significant (MGUS) and smoldering myeloma are precursor stages that can progress to multiple myeloma. Moon Shots researchers are developing models to predict which patients with these precursor diseases have a higher risk of developing multiple myeloma — and why. To do this, they are examining patient samples for markers of disease progression that may also be used to develop therapies.
The goals of this project are to:
- Develop a risk prediction model for patients with multiple myeloma precursor stages
- Identify potential treatments to prevent multiple myeloma progression in patients with precursors stages
Early immunotherapy intervention
This project aims to develop clinical studies of immunotherapy treatments that prevent or delay MGUS and smoldering myeloma from developing into multiple myeloma. Through these studies, research are also identifying biomarkers that predict a patient’s response or resistance to immunotherapy.
The goals of this project are to:
- Study the use of Isatuximab, a monoclonal antibody that targets the CD38 protein found on many myeloma cells, in preventing high-risk smoldering myeloma from developing into multiple myeloma
- Study the effectiveness of personalized peptide vaccines
- Investigate the use of antibody-drug conjugate Belantamab mafodotin (BELAMAF) in treating high-risk early-stage multiple myeloma
Novel natural killer cell-based therapies
This project utilizes the expertise of MD Anderson’s chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) NK platform to further research the use of natural killer cell-based therapies for the treatment of high-risk multiple myeloma.
The goals of this project are to:
- Continue clinical trials evaluating the effectiveness of expanded cord-blood derived NK cells for high-risk multiple myeloma treatment
- Develop CAR NK-cell therapies that recognize dual targets in high-risk multiple myeloma
Immunotherapy targeting Heat Shock Protein 70
Researchers are targeting a specific cancer protein, Heat Shock Protein 70 (HSP70), with immunotherapy to delay or prevent precursor stages of myeloma from progressing.
The goal of this project is to:
- Evaluate the use of the therapeutic antibody 253-77A in animal models of MGUS and smoldering myeloma to determine its effectiveness and identify markers of response